Ir. Nikhil John
PhD Candidate
Nikhil John, is a Ph.D. candidate working within project ERGO (Energie Reductie door conditie Gestuurd Onderhoud) of the Institute of Sustinable Process Technology in the Netherlands. This project is co-funded by TKI-E&I with the supplementary grant 'TKI- Toeslag' for Topconsortia for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI’s) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy.
Ph.D. Research Focus
Nikhil's work focuses on innovation analyses of artificial intelligence (AI) and its use in the process industry. AI's emergence as a strategic solution (for economic benefits, business models, sustainability, efficiency, etc.) in almost every major sector, makes it increasingly important to understand the dynamics of this innovation. By studying AI as a technological innovation system and its specific application in the energy-intensive processing industries, this research aims to identify its impacts, the barriers to implementation, and other systemic problems. Such insights are critical to guide the "Industry 4.0" transition for a sustainable processing industry in the Netherlands and globally.
Background and Interests
Nikhil's research interests are primarily interdisciplinary, owing to a background in engineering, social science, programming, and techno-economics. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, India, and a Master's degree in Sustainable Energy Technology from Eindhoven University of Technology. He worked at TNO in their sustainable process and energy systems department (SPES) during his master's thesis. At TNO, he modelled an approach to compare different decarbonization pathway options for petrochemical industrial clusters under ever-changing scenario conditions. In his current research at Utrecht University, he aims further to improve our understanding of transitions in high-inertia industrial sectors. Beyond the industry, his work focuses on the broad and pervasive AI & digital innovation (eco)system and their impact on society.